New York Magazine -- Top Five Men's Shaves

F.S.C. Barber.Photo: Courtesy of F.S.C. Barber

Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes
39 W. 54th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-956-2990
As the former director of the men’s division at Paul Labrecque, Martiol Vivot delivers a full menu of indulgent treatments at his three-station men’s salon. The deluxe shave includes a cleanse, repairing Clarins face mask, and scalp treatment of pure essential oils. The face is shaved twice-over with a generous coating of foam and moisture-rich Santa Maria Novella creams, then steamed and cooled with a succession of hot and cold towels.

F.S.C. Barber
5 Horatio St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-929-3917
This vintage-inspired hipster hangout favors old-school products—rose-water astringent, shaving oil from Portugal, and herbal-mint toner—and rare tools, like an antique chrome shaving-cream dispenser and razors crafted from 10,000-year-old woolly-mammoth tusks. On Sunday mornings, the treatment of choice is the “hangover relief”: a eucalyptus-infused shave that ends with a neck and hand massage.

Paul Molé
1031 Lexington Ave., at 74th St.; 212-535-8461
This throwback black-and-white-tiled barbershop touts a loyal clientele of neighborhood regulars. The deluxe open-razor treatment involves generous layers of shaving cream, steaming hot towels, and a creamy emollient to soothe dry skin. Tack on an extra (worthwhile) $10 for a tension-relieving face massage.

Spiff
750 Third Ave., at 46th St.; 212-204-8720
The classic shave at this men’s grooming chain goes beyond alleviating scruff and includes a cleansing facial, conditioning hot-oil scalp treatment, manicure, and shoe shine. (For time-pressed clients, the manicure can coincide with the shave.) Barbers use EShave products, like sweet-smelling almond and lavender pre-shave oils and a light exfoliating scrub. A series of five hot towels maintains the skin’s moisture throughout the treatment.

Frank’s Chop Shop
19 Essex St., nr. Hester St.; 212-228-7442
This Lower East Side barbershop conducts classic straight-edge shaves using Baxter of California products. The barbers meticulously go over the face just once to avoid irritation, and round out the treatment with a gentle massage that targets pressure points.